This is a list of noted South African poets, poets born or raised in South Africa, whether living there or overseas, and writing in one of the South African languages.
A-C edit
- Tatamkulu Afrika
- Mike Alfred
- Ingrid Andersen
- Gabeba Baderoon
- Sinclair Beiles
- Robert Berold
- Vonani Bila
- Roy Blumenthal
- Herman Charles Bosman
- Breyten Breytenbach
- André Brink
- Dennis Brutus
- Guy Butler
- Roy Campbell
- Charl Cilliers
- Johnny Clegg
- Jack Cope
- Jeremy Cronin
- Patrick Cullinan
- Gary Cummiskey
- Sheila Cussons
D-G edit
H-M edit
- Megan Hall
- Joan Hambidge
- Colleen Higgs
- Christopher Hope
- Peter Horn
- Allan Kolski Horwitz
- Alan James
- Wopko Jensma
- Liesl Jobson
- Sarah Johnson
- Ingrid Jonker
- Aryan Kaganof
- Anne Kellas
- Keorapetse Kgositsile
- Olga Kirsch
- Koos Kombuis
- Rustum Kozain
- Uys Krige
- Antjie Krog
- Anton Krueger
- Mazisi Kunene
- Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven
- C. Louis Leipoldt
- Douglas Livingstone
- Lindiwe Mabuza
- Don Maclennan
- Mzi Mahola
- Lucas Malan
- Eugene Marais
- Andrew Martens
- Lebogang Mashile
- John Mateer
- Don Mattera
- James Matthews
- Mzwakhe Mbuli
- Kim McClenaghan
- Michelle McGrane
- Sheila Meiring Fugard
- Joan Metelerkamp
- Ruth Miller
- Amitabh Mitra
- Natalia Molebatsi
- Kobus Moolman
- Isabella Motadinyane
- Seitlhamo Motsapi
- Casey Motsisi
- S.E.K. Mqhayi
- Oswald Mtshali